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SP20069: Philosophy of the social sciences

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • CW 100% (CW 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take SP10044
Aims: This course aims to demonstrate the significance of philosophical perspectives in the social sciences that underpin the creation of knowledge and empirical research. It does this by examining key issues in the philosophy of the social sciences and by mapping the different approaches. Students should learn to critically discuss postmodern claims of 'diversity' of knowledge and 'uncertainty' of truth in science in relation to methodological claims for objectivity and 'truth' in scientific knowledge. They should learn about the values of social theory in relation to empiricism and positivism.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit the students should be able to:
* identify the philosophical approach that underpins empirical data and scientific knowledge;
* critically discuss the claims for truth of scientific knowledge;
* reflect on ethical issues of philosophical approaches;
* understand diversity of philosophical approaches and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses;
* understand the values of social theory,
* understand the emergence of the social sciences and place current trends in historical context;
* link classic approaches in the philosophy of social sciences to contemporary writing and empirical questions.
The unit aims to foster the following skills:
* understanding abstract texts and queries;
* reading and understanding original work, including writing of early sociologists;
* analytical skills;
* reflective learning skills;
* developing an own standpoint regarding methodology;
* discussing pros and cons of different philosophical approaches;
* group-work skills.
* These skills will also be very useful for your dissertation and for understanding the particular strength and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative methods.

Skills: Intellectual skills:
* To think creatively and analytically
* To communicate an argument
* To evaluate others' arguments and research
* To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information
* To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.).
* To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge
* To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding
* To utilise problem solving skills
Professional Practical skills:
* To effectively and efficiently apply principles of sociological/social policy analysis within a variety of environments
Transferable/Key skills:
* Study and Learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagiarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing)
* Basic Information and Computing Technology skills (word processing, email, using the web to search for information)
* Inter-personal and communication skills
* Essay research, preparation and writing skills
* To construct a bibliography of varying complexity
* Revision and Examination skills
* Time-management and administrative skills
* Presentation skills and verbal communication (i.e. oral presentations, seminar and tutorial contributions)
* To reflect upon his/her own academic and professional performance and take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development.
* To solve problems in a variety of situations
* To manage time effectively and respond to changing demands.
* To prioritise workloads, and utilise long- and short-term planning skills.

Content: The course will examine positivist models of scientific method and the interpretivist tradition in sociology as well as new approaches that highlight the social construction and context-dependency of knowledge, including Popper, Kuhn, Durkheim, Weber, culture/language sensitive approaches and feminist epistemology; it also comprises examples on how to apply epistemological questions to contemporary issues of society, such as for instance New Public Management.

Programme availability:

SP20069 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 2)

SP20069 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio French) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio German) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB47 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB48 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Mandarin) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB46 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Russian) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (ab initio Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB43 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (French) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB44 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (German) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB45 : BA(Hons) International Politics and Modern Languages (Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 2)
Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc(Hons) Applied Social Studies (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB21 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB21 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.